Yarmouth chaplain launches appeal for stranded crew

2016: Great Yarmouth Port Chaplain Rev Peter Paine has started an appeal to help a 12-strong Indian crew who have been stranded in the port for over six months on board their detained ship.

The Malaviya Twenty, an Indian-owned ship arrived in Yarmouth in June, but financial issues have meant its crew are unpaid and are unable to return home while authorities take legal measures.

This week Peter (pictured above) started an appeal to bring some festive cheer to the all-male crew, asking the public to offer donations of hygiene products, gifts and supplies, and received an over-whelming response.

He said: “Donations have been coming thick and fast, it really has been overwhelming. People have been offering all kinds of gifts for these people, with some even promising things like iPads. It’s been really magnificent.”

He added: “Everybody puts Great Yarmouth down but the people here have been like gold dust. If there is a case that needs helping they rise to the occasion.

“We’ve had one lady knock on our door and say ‘I don’t have much to give but here’s a fiver’. It shows how this terrible situation has really touched people.”

Peter will continue to collect donations at the Seafarer’s Centre on South Quay until next Wednesday (Dec 21).